Bane

Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Most of the Ghost Cat Clan names are from "Owlknight" by M. Lackey. Jendey is mentioned as the youngest chief's son in "Owlsight." Harry will be going by his Tayledras' name of Firefox until he returns to Hogwarts.

Reviews are welcomed, flames are not.

Warning: Mature theme is in this chapter. Those pesky Hawk-brothers and their life-style.

:this is mind speech.:

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Chapter 4

In a packed dirt circle in the center of brightly decorated buildings two teens were in the middle of a full-out brawl. Other young males and several older men were shouting encouragement as the two exchanged blows from both fist and foot.

The taller one was dressed in buckskin breeches decorated with bright colored thread, while the other was in soft woolen pants. Both were shirtless, covered in dust, sweat and streaks of blood.

One of the teens had long, deep black braids with bits of leather and colorful beads woven throughout. The second sported long salt and pepper braids, with crystals and feathers decorating them.

The brawl, if you could call it that, started as a contest between two friends that escalated into an all out melee. However, it was over in a few minutes when the black haired teen bested his shorter opponent.

Panting but laughing, the winner reached down to help the other up. "You're doing better, my friend," the older boy smiled as he slapped Firefox on the back.

"Thanks, Jendey," Firefox grinned at his friend, wincing as he bent to retrieve his tunic. "At least this time you didn't ruin my shirt. Firesong hates it when that happens."

Jendey laughed. "That peacock hates anything that would get him, or you, dirty. Still, I wouldn't want to cross him. I'll take fists over his acid tongue and magic any day."

Firefox grinned. His father's acid tongue was well known and very much a thing to avoid at all costs. Strangely, it was what endeared the man to the teen. He knew that Firesong cared enough for him to correct him when he did something foolish or needlessly dangerous.

Those watching the two boys started to exchange tokens of currency now that the fight was over. Other spectators returned to what ever they'd been doing beforehand. One young warrior walked over to the pair to congratulate Jendey on his win. Firefox was also given a few slaps of sympathy, drawing forth muffled grunts of pain when they landed on tender areas.

Since Harry, or rather Firefox as he was now called, had been accepted into the Tayledras, one of the first things he'd had to do was learn about the different races. There were many that lived in and around Errold's Grove, and that included the Ghost Cat Clan, who lived a few miles north of the town.

The Ghost Cat Clan was one of the far northern tribes. Due to a plague they had come down from the frozen lands that were their original homeland, and stayed.

Their lodges were a bizarre mix of wild wooden carvings and bright, rainbow colors. The designs and colors made no sense to outsiders for they seemed to have no coherent reason. The common area, where the pair had been fighting, was just in front of the men's fire pit and was well worn by the many fights that took place there.

Firefox brushed the dust acquired from rolling around in the dirt off his legs, wincing as his hand came across a swelling bruise. He was going to pay for it when he got back to the Vale. He just knew Silverfox would have much to say about his 'lumps.'

The young mage had made friends with few of the teens within the clan. It had taken months after he arrived to be accepted by others of his age. Mostly it was due to the fact he was not from a Vale and didn't know about their ways, or how to fight hand to hand.

Darian, known as Nightwalker by the Ghost Cat Clan, explained to his adopted clan that Harry had been sent to them by a goddess for training and healing. The young mage had a dark future ahead if he wasn't properly trained, and that training fell to them and the Tayledras. The clan warriors were not sure what to think about that, as they didn't serve a goddess. They did, however, have clan totems and spirit animals.

After that introduction Celin, the Shaman of the Ghost Cat Clan, had a dream from their totem animal– the Ghost Cat.

The spirit animal commanded that they do everything in their power to teach this young warrior. And it was made clear by that spirit that Firefox was a wounded warrior, with the scars to prove it. They were a testament to his courage, even if he had been ill-trained.

Although they didn't adopt the young outsider like they had Darian, they did, over time, take Firefox into their hearts. The young man wormed his way into their lives with his need to prove himself and his unyielding stubbornness.

Celin was waiting by the men's fire for the pair of teens. His face showed how pleased he was with the friendship of the young mage and the youngest of the chief's sons. Yes, this young mage has come far but, sadly, he still had much more to learn before he was ready to face his trials of manhood.

It was the clan chief's youngest son Jendey who'd befriended the newest member of the Hawk Brothers not long after he was introduced to him. Whenever Firefox visited, the pair were nigh on inseparable and always causing trouble. This latest scuffle was one such incident.

Today, they were caught in mid-prank by Celin and got into an argument over who's idea it was. One thing lead to another and the fight was on. It was, however, the policy of the clan to let such arguments play themselves out among the untried boys, as long as no weapons were involved.

In their collective minds, 'boys will be boys.' It was the way of the clan, and in the shaman's mind Jendey and Firefox were very well matched in their love of pranks.

After their bout Jendey and Firefox shook hands and headed slowly for the men's fire.

Girls and women started to hand out drinks and snacks as the pair were congratulated and teased by the men. Both boys proudly showed off their bruises like badges of courage, as was custom.

They stopped by Celin, and Jendey's father Vordon, who were sitting together.

"You're doing better, young warrior-mage," Celin complimented. "I remember the day young Night-walker brought you to us. Skinny, with eyes that have seen too much. Your courage was never in question and your healing has been long."

The chieftain added, "Your clan has worked their magic on you and it shows. I'm proud that you and my sons are friends."

Firefox blushed at the compliments but said nothing as Jendey clapped a arm around his friend's shoulder. "I'm glad you're my friend, but you still can't defeat me."

"I don't think I will ever be able to," Firefox groused, wincing as he noted yet another forming bruise. "I'm not a fighter like you. Firesong says my strength lies elsewhere."

"This is true, young warrior-mage," Celin commented as he raised his cup. "Your courage has never been questioned. To know your limits is half the battle, and the true measure of a man."

"However, that doesn't excuse your prank and getting caught," added Hwyeel, Jendey's older brother, who was a full-fledged warrior of the clan."You still have to deal with the punishment."

Busted! Was the thought in both boy's minds as the men laughed at the looks that crossed the teen's faces.

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Firefox limped into the Vale later that evening, hoping to slip unseen to his ekele and the healing potions waiting there. He really didn't need the lecture he was sure he would receive from both Silverfox and Cera after this latest visit to the Ghost Cat enclave.

Their punishment for the prank had been interesting. He and Jendey had to help Shaman Celin clean out the steam hut and set it up for a ritual. Neither boy had their bruises and cuts tended to during that time and more were added during their punishment. He was now feeling every sore muscle and bruise.

'Damn, Jendey can hit. At least we didn't use knives this time,' Firefox mused as he slipped down the pathways to his home, praying he wouldn't be stopped.

He liked spending time with the northern tribe. Their way of life was honest and uncomplicated. Possessions and wealth were secondary to honor and ability. Jendey reminded him more of the Weasley twins than their younger brother and his former best friend, Ron. At least with Jendey he didn't have to worry about jealousy.

To the Clan, he was just another untried warrior. In fact, no one in this world treated him differently from the other young men. Sure, they knew he was goddess-touched and blessed but that was it. To everyone Firefox was just another child needing to be trained before he could take his place in the adult world, and he reveled in it. He was finding more and more that he didn't miss his old life at all.

A ringing of bell-like clops sounded on the pathway ahead of him. Firefox started to curse under his breath. Busted, yet again. He wondered if it was Shandi, or Anda that caught him limping along.

Firefox looked up with a tired sigh to see a snowy white stallion with silver hooves prancing towards him and walking beside it was a young woman dressed in a white on white uniform.

'Just great. Shandi and Karles,' he groaned and was now certain he was in for a round of teasing.

At least it wasn't Anda, the Herald Mage who was stationed at the Vale. Firefox didn't know what to make of the man, who could lecture you one moment and mock you playfully the next.

Herald Anda was a mage in his own right and a good man to have around. He was also the ambassador for Queen Selenay and reminded Firefox very much of Remus Lupin with his scholarly ways and sense of humor. Shandi, however was like an older sister, good to go to if other adults were being unreasonable, but bad if you are in embarrassing situations. They never let you live it down.

Herald Shandi was Healer Keisha's younger sister, and was bonded to the Companion Karles. A herald was the voice of reason and judgment representing the Crown of Valdemar. To become a Herald one must be chosen by a Companion.

Companions were no ordinary horses. They were an intelligent, sentient beings with the ability to 'speak' mind to mind, in the form of a horse. To call a Companion a horse was considered high insult and a punishable offense in the Vale. They were to be treated with the utmost respect and courtesy.

In Valdemar it was an honor to be chosen by a Companion, to be their Herald. How one was chosen was a secret known only by a select few, and the Companions themselves.

One of the main criteria to be chosen was the person had to have a special talent, in either the mind arts or magic.

An unbreakable bond was formed between Companion and Herald when the Companion looked their Chosen in the eye and mind-spoke, "I choose you." A bond instantly formed that could only be broken by death.

Shandi had been stationed at the Vale, along with Herald Mage Anda, because she was from this far away region. She had been chosen when she was a teenager by Karles and had been tapped to be Andes partner for this duty. One she didn't want to turn down.

Both were the Valdermaran Queen's representatives to this far outpost.

"Herald Shandi. Karles," Firefox said with a stiff bow and tired sigh. He just wanted to get home.

"I see you've been to the Ghost Cats again," the tall blonde herald commented as Karles let out a mild nicker of amusement.

:Lost again?: came the male mental voice of the Companion. Firefox gave the stallion a look of disgust as Karles nickered his amusement.

"What is it now? Jendey 50 and Firefox 0?" Shandi teased.

Firefox groaned tiredly, trying not to show just how badly he was hurting.

He remembered his old life, where he hadn't been allowed to fight back. Here he was encouraged to. "Look, I don't need a lecture. I know Jendey's a better fighter than me because that's what his culture is all about. Now, I just want to get home. Alright?"

Shandi's smile fell. It was well known that her main heraldic gift was empathy. Firefox knew she was probably picking up his pain and distress. He was doing his best to shield it from her but . . .

"Alright, brat, but don't think this is over. I'm sure Firesong will have something to say about your appearance," she agreed with a sigh.

"I'm sure I will," came the silky voice of Firefox's adoptive father from behind them. "You are late again. And I see you and Jendey have gotten into it yet again. Can't you visit without coming back half dead?"

Firefox groaned again, ignoring the taunting the two adults were giving him. Being thirteen sucks.

Silverfox was waiting for the teen with not only a pain potion but bruise balm. "First a bath and a long soak, I think. We'll save the lecture for later."

Maybe being thirteen wasn't so bad after all.

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Cera said nothing as she laid out his fresh outfit for the evening. She knew this 'fighting' was part of Firefox's training. He was a mage in training and not a ruffian. She didn't like it, but it couldn't be helped.

She loved her young charge. He was kind and considerate and, oh, so young. Firefox, like all Tayledras, was exotic and mysterious; and it did her heart proud that the once fragile child was coming into his own. She would miss him when he had to return to his own home world. Well, Star-eyed willing, it wasn't going to be tomorrow.

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Silverfox smiled as he came down from Firefox's ekele.

"How is he?" Firesong asked as he lounged seductively nude on their shared bed.

"Sore and finally asleep, but surprisingly pleased with himself. It was a wise decision to allow him to learn about their culture."

"Hmmf. You just like to see all those half clad barbarians showing off their muscles," Firesong teased his life partner.

Silverfox laughed as he slipped out of his robes. "Jealous much, askhe? Seriously though, our little fledging is growing up to be a fine young man."

"What do you expect with us as his parents?" Firesong preened as he made room on the bed. "Enough talk."

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A/N: No, Harry isn't going to become a Herald and have a Companion. For one reason, it's over done in fanfiction.

According to canon, Companions, unless they are Grove born, are the spirits of heralds that have died. Harry has no connection to Valdemar except living in the k'Valdemar Vale. Harry isn't loyal to Valdemar. He's being raised as a Hawk-Brother.

Two, having a Companion just doesn't fit in this story.

So don't worry, he will have an avatar.

Lastly, for those asking what Harry asked for in the last chapter. He asked to be adopted and take a Hawk Brother name. The other wish just wasn't important to the plot and we left it up to the reader.

Until next time. – GF and The Frau